"Awlright, so I ain't ye typical cat. Wotcha gonna do 'bout it?"
Born in the cellars of the Crimson Serpent , Asher's practically lived his whole life at sea. He's known best for sneaking onto ships and tampering with its cargo. Blessed with the looks of his Keeper mum, Asher's appearance is exactly that of a Miqo'te--tail, ears, and all. However, his hair color and mannerisms are all thanks to the towering Hyur of a dad that never expected to have a son. Despite the hardships that came with abandonment when he was barely eight summers, Asher has learned to make a living out of next to nothing. Many have heard of Asher in a negative light, earning him the hateful titles of "Fluke" and "Bilge Rat". Albeit they are true, his successful reputation as a smuggler has earned him tenuous respect in the eyes of those that have employed him.
Appearance:
"Wotcha lookin' at? M'payin' fer t'sights, lass."
Standing at less than average height of most Keeper Miqo'te, what he lacks in build he makes up for in speed. A roguish smirk is almost always a common element to his face, which is kept free of stubble save for a rough patch on his chin. Sun-kissed flesh kept a constant darkened color from the endless days spent outside hold many secrets born of numerous scars that adorn a lithe and athletic build.
Eyes as blue as the ocean often sparkle with uncanny mischief. Pale blonde tresses are often swept back in a makeshift ponytail, whilst shiny brass bands embellish perceptive cream-furred spires seated atop the shaved sides of his head. Peer closer at the rogue, however, and one can easily take notice the ragged look to his features and occasional dark circles under his eyes—the smirk he wears is but a well-practiced façade.
Scars:
Small and very faded circular burn marks randomly cover his arms and lower body, even near particularly sensitive areas.
Thin, discolored lines criss-cross his arms and hands from the cuts received while learning to properly hold his daggers and throwing knives.
There is a long tear across his back from a rapier injury that spans from his left shoulderblade to his waist.
Scars from dagger wounds and various other sharp objects are sprinkled across his chest, far newer than any previous injuries. He takes no pride from these marks and dislikes remembering how he got them.
Mutiny aboard a ship left a young kit with almost no tail and a loathing for one particular individual with an axe. Asher's stubbed tail is proudly displayed and he rarely keeps it hidden. He has no shame in his lack of a tail, or the story of how it was given to him. He adapted easily to the difference in balance and sees his stub tail as just another telltale sign of his mixed blood.
Clothing:
Behavior:
"Oye, yer a real piece o'rubbish, ain't ye? Piss off."
Complicated. Cocky. Selfish. An undeniable bastard with enough sea-salted ego to boot. Asher takes pride in his ability to work alone and will do whatever he can to keep it that way. He does not play well with others, and is extremely picky when it comes to tolerating those he meets. Asher finds most men to be reasonable, so long as they don't point anything sharp in his face. A good drinking buddy is accepted every once in awhile. With women, however, there is no middle line. Those that find interest in his eyes are playfully teased under a crooked grin. Those that he dislikes are rudely scorned and taunted. No matter how little Asher knows them, he is quick to decide whether or not he'll accept a particular lady.
Being abandoned as a child never settled well with him, therefore he often scoffs at the idea that others want to be around him. Twelve forbid, someone ever does--especially a woman. Asher is constantly denying a broken heart that's been nursed since he was barely eight summers. This causes things to get a little twisted when he's feeling particular naughty with a female. He'll willingly flirt with them, occasionally even take them to bed, but any mention of long-time commitment and they are quickly abandoned that night.
Aside from the careless show and salty demeanor that the Halfbreed constantly puts on display, deep within a hardened exterior is a lingering sense of loneliness that has plagued him ever since he was left alone as a child. Few have glimpsed his true nature and most tend to steer clear of his brash attitude. His friends are treated as friends, though even they are not spared from an occasional blow of disrespect. Some learn to shrug it off, but others hasten to leave him right after the confrontation. Asher's developed a habit of pushing people away once he's done with them, or the job's been finished, so forming any sort of true bond with the rogue is as difficult as it is dangerous.
Inventory
The black leather belt holds sheaths for two pairs of daggers and contains various pouches for storing items of necessity. One small pouch carefully tucked away against his backside contains the few objects he considers most valuable upon his person.
Gil Pouch - currently empty!
Crimson-red mask - ironically it is a color he fears, but the wooden mask is kept alongside his other valuables, perhaps as a reminder of his cowardice that caused him to abandon the one he loved for several months.
Stabbed card - he decided to keep a souvenir from his recent encounter with a fortune teller. There's a hole in the middle of The Devil card, as if it'd been stabbed with a dagger. Whatever could its use be?
Combat
Taken in by the Rogue's Guild for a time, Asher developed exceptional skill with wielding daggers. Under guidance from a Miqo'te nearly as prickly as his weapons, Asher prospered under the protective shelter of the Rogue's Guild for five summers until deciding to make his own way outside of the guild.
Daggers: Standard weapons of choice. They are old and worn from many years of use, but always kept razor-sharp. The blades appear to be chipped and finely rusted. Rarely are his daggers cleaned, but they are certain to be sharp. He carries a total of six on his person at all times.
Throwing Knives: Thin and aerodynamic blades that have no handle. The user must balance them carefully between their fingers before releasing them with a sharp flick of the wrist. Most often used for ranged combat or to aid in a tricky escape. They are tucked away in one of many pouches secured to his belt.
Asher is almost always bristling with daggers and speed is constantly at his advantage, allowing him the advantage of a quick getaway. Recent events, however, have caused him to learn a method of unarmed combat that is similar to that of the Pugilist Guild, but scrappier. He will revert to this fighting style only as a last resort, preferring to keep this knowledge secret.
Tendencies
Likes
■ flirting
■ ale
■ sailing
■ observing things from afar
■ going about unnoticed
■ high places
Dislikes/Fears
■ weak-minded women
■ whores
■ physical/sexual abuse
■ The Crimson Serpent
■ panic attacks (he's suffered from them since childhood)
■ Him.
■ teleportation by aetheryte
■ betrayal
■ abandonment
Hobbies/Talents
■ can hurl his daggers with unnerving accuracy (was his main means of income for a time)
■ he has a knack for pissing off those that can't take a joke
■ often shows no respect for those with authority
■ he'll call himself "cat" and feels no offense towards the name since he's a halfbreed
Favorites
■ Favourite Place: topmost spire in the Lower Decks
■ Favourite Scent: exotic spices (they remind him of his mum)
Relationships
♥ Romantic Attraction – ♥ Physical Attraction – ♥ Platonic Love – $ Business – ♣ Family Member – ✖ Deceased – ● Friend – ● Enemy – ● Neutral – ✔ Good Standing – ✘ Bad Standing – ? Unknown – ⚓ Trust
NPCs
Millie Marina● ♣ Mother
"T'final time I saw 'er, she told me 'Mommy loves ye'. Wot a feckin' joke."
Having never understood the true reason for her disownment, Asher has always seen the event in a negative light and has carried a deep resentment for his mother ever since. Years later, he ran into her again, but there's nothing recognizable about her anymore.
Captain Magnus Furor● ♣ ✖ Father, Captain Fury
"They say time heals all wounds, but I ain't think I'll ever forget 'bout t'ones left by 'im."
He commanded the Crimson Serpent and is currently presumed dead, along with the rest of his crew after they were captured by Yellowjackets on a remote island.
Kirby Clove● ⚓ ✖ Toast
"M'sorry fer failin' ye, but at least ye ain't gotta live at t'mercy o'me father anymore."
Very few good people existed on the Crimson Serpent. One that Asher will never forget was the ship's cook, who'd secretly been a slave. Nearly twenty years later, their paths crossed yet again when Toast was held at ransom, but the rogue still wasn't able to save him--nor thank him for all that the kindly Midlander had done for him.
Sylbzahr Ahldoensyn● ⚓ ✖ Silver
"Ol' Cap took m'in when no one else would've dared touched m'filthy self. He made m'feel wanted an 'imporant; qualities I'd thought I'd discarded on t'Limsan docks. I was a damned mess back then, but he was desperate fer a Cabin Boy methinks. Sumtimes I still wonder 'ow he was a Captain in t'first place."
Sylbzahr Ahldoensyn (Silver Tooth) was the Captain of the Rolanbrine, and the most good-natured Sea Wolf Asher ever met. All it took was getting caught stealing from a crate of vittles meant to be carried into the ship, and Asher was given his first job. Tasked as a lowly Cabin Boy, the troubled lad wore the title begrudgingly at first, but his time on the ship sparked a lifelong love of sea life and the memorized footwork of a popular sailor's dance. Sylbzahr ultimately made a dramatic impact on his life--a debt that Asher can unfortunately never repay.
Baderon Tenfingers● ⚓ Barkeep
The lively owner of the Drowning Wench, he quickly became one of the few people Asher will willingly call a trusted friend. The Hyur's kindness has saved him from many a tight spot, and while he's been living in the tavern's inn, Asher's gotten to know him pretty well when he visits the bar for vittles.
Vupa Royuh● Mentor
Seasoned Keeper with a temper as sharp as the blades he wielded. He was Asher's mentor when he was part of the Rogue's Guild and taught the boy many other things besides how to use daggers, such as how to sneak around unnoticed and sweet-talk the merchants. Asher hasn't seen his old mentor since leaving the Rogue's Guild.
Miss Amayu $ ♥ ???
Her perfume carries spices from faraway places, a scent Asher associates with that of his mother. Cunning and crafty, Miss Amayu was quick to grab the rogue's attention upon arriving in Ishgard, and has since then toyed with him with sensual taunts. Asher is oft helpless in her grasp, smitten by the spiced aroma that is constantly floating around her. It was only after he left Ishgard that he became free from her spell.
Their time together in Ishgard caused the halfbreed to finally realize just how important Sara is to him, but after vanishing for three months in an effort to protect her from his past, Asher realized the best way to protect her was to leave her. Begrudgingly, the rogue has left her behind and hopes she is able to move on without him one day.
He stumbled upon a quaint bookshop while seeking distraction, and unexpectedly found a pleasant conversationalist who made cornbread almost as well as a certain blonde Hyur. A second, unintended meeting found the halfbreed introduced to Clover's daughter as well, who looks nothing like her mother. However, he can tell that Clover is extremely fond of the child, and so he does his best to tolerate her. Since then, the bookshop that the Elezen works at has become one of his favored haunts.
Sen'ra Icari✘ Seer
A table joined, and cards drawn thrice. The Devil. The Sage. Seven of Wands. Was it a prediction or a curse? Only time will tell...
Rumours
Common Rumors
■ "Aye, that'd be the Bilge Rat. Lived his life in t'belly of a ship h'did!" -salty sailor
■ "Every time I walk by those tall pillars I feel like I'm being watched." -concerned Elezen
■ "That man saved me from a bunch of mean pirates! But before I could thank him, he was gone. He sure doesn't look the sort to help those like me." -curious orphaned girl
■ "Any ship he b'on looses its valuables. Ye never want t'at 'un aboard wit ye." -rough patron of the Drowning Wench
■ "'ave ye seen t'way he grins? M'gets chills an' I feels like m'cursed sometimes." -shifty-eyed dockworker
■ “He gets real jumpy ‘round men in red vests. Maybe he ain’t like t’color?” -puzzled Seawolf dockhand
■ “Oh, ‘im? T’at son offa bitch owes me two hundred gil!” -angry gambling sailor
■ “T’word ‘toast’ actually means sumtin’ to ‘im.” -gossipy hag
Rare Rumors
■ "Saw 'im arguing with a fellow at the docks once. Was refusing workin' fer a certain ship. Something 'bout a snake." -curious local
■ "There be a cat who looks a'lot like 'im. She's a real beauty a'right. I pay 'er double fer every go!" -delighted male client, probably drunk
■ "Was 'anging 'round the docks n'watched this broken vessel pull in. The crew comin' off her was 'alf bloody dead, I swear. Fight must've happened. There was this lad with a bleedin' stump. Lost 'is tail methinks. Twelve-preserve." -bewildered dockworker
■ “He’s such a dream! That smile o’his wins us over fine, but he ain’t ever wanna bed us. Not even for free!” -pouting Limsa Lominsan whore
■ “I’ll gut t’at feckin’ rat, just ye wait. He cast m’mates to t’grave jus’ fer lookin’ t’wrong way.” -???
■ “They say he got rich afta’ escortin’ sum pretty miss t’Ishgard.” -daily patron of the Drowning Wrench
■ “Huh. That Ruby Sparrow from the Bloodsands had a stubbed tail too. I wonder where he went?” -random traveler from Thanalan
Player Character Rumours
■ "He is a-a...friend." She hesitated for a moment, as if unsure what to call him. Then she began to smile to herself. "As difficult as ever, but I hope to prove a few things to him. I'm simply grateful he's giving me the chances to do so." - Sarameda Silverlark
■ "Tch. He's t'reason I don't wander 'round t'seedier parts o'Limsa Lominsa. He ain't nuffin' but an asshole and thought he could ask why I was stealin' wanted posters. Bastard needs t'mind his own stupid business." - Chip
Asher
